Ministry of Textiles
Ministry of Textiles conducts ‘National Conclave on Sportech: The Future of Sport Textiles and Accessories Industry in India’ under National Technical Textiles Mission
India is an emerging player in sports textiles, with tremendous scope for growth in the coming years: Smt Darshana Vikram Jardosh
Schemes such as Khelo India, Fit India Movement and Target Olympic Podium Scheme, would support in enhancing the penetration of sports textiles in the country
Government’s flagship interventions such as NTTM, PLI & PM Mitra, are focused towards increasing the scale, size and integration of textiles and technical textiles in India
PM Mitra presents a great opportunity for technical textiles companies to set-up their plants in plug-n-play mode
Focus required on developing sportech sector to meet entire domestic need with indigenously produced quality products
High time to foster synergy amongst various stakeholders in sportech sector
The Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Indian Technical Textiles Association  and Wool Research Association  organized a full-day National Conclave on Sportech on the theme “The Future of Sport Textiles and Accessories Industry in India”, on 2nd June 2023 at Shangri-La Eros Hotel, New Delhi.
There were technical sessions in the conclave focusing on Market size, Gaps, Experience and Expectations of consumers towards adoption of Indian Sports Textiles, Sports Goods and Accessories: Coated fabrics, Nets, Leather and Rubber Products, Innovations & Research in Composites and Smart Textiles and Design, Branding & Quality in the Value Chain.
More than 300 participants attended the conclave including Officials and Representatives from Central Ministries, user Departments  of Central and State Governments, Institutes, industry leaders, scientific experts, researchers, and professionals related to technical textiles especially Sportech along with around 16 exhibitors.
Chief Guest, Smt Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles & Railways, Government of India, highlighted that India is an emerging player in sports textiles, with tremendous scope for growth in the coming years.
She mentioned that the government has significant focus on creating sports culture in India through its flagship schemes such as Khelo India, Fit India Movement, Target Olympic Podium Scheme, etc. This would support in enhancing the penetration of sports textiles in the country. Further, the factors such as rising health consciousness and increasing sports events being organized in India are also fostering the demand for sports goods and sports textiles. She highlighted that the recent initiative of Indian apparel & footwear sizing has been a significant step in sports and footwear industry.
She mentioned that Ministry of Textiles, under NTTM, is in continuous process of discussion with the concerned ministries regarding enhancing the usage of the technical textile items within their respective domains. Recently, Ministry of Textiles convened a meeting to explore the possibility of increasing the usage of technical textiles in the Railways sector for yielding significant results in this direction.
She urged various stakeholders to put forward their valuable inputs, which would pave way for creating a concrete roadmap for the future of sportech industry in India.
Smt Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, stated that the government is working to make India a hub for the technical textiles. Our flagship interventions such as National Technical Textiles Mission , Production Linked Incentive  scheme, PM Mitra Park initiative, among others are focused towards increasing the scale, size and integration of textiles and technical textiles in India.
She highlighted that the growing interest in sporting activities, health consciousness among people, rising demand of athleisure, among others have been creating a huge potential for sports goods, sports textiles and accessories
in India. She opined that to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the sports industry, the companies need to focus on research, product development, innovation, and sustainability. She suggested that all the stakeholders must work together to create an enabling environment that supports the growth of sportech industry in India.
Shri. Rajesh Kr. Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, highlighted that there is a need to facilitate and have confidence on various scientists and researchers working on product and technology development in technical textiles, including sportech. This will catalyze the development of entire ecosystem of technical textiles in India. Indian industry has to realise that their major competitors are not the domestic counterparts, but the international companies and thus their product quality & usage have to be superior to what is already present in the market. He mentioned that the Technology Development Board has been in forefront for supporting the deep tech companies, to bring innovative products in the Indian market.
Shri. Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, highlighted that India’s Technical Textiles market has a huge potential backed by a significant growth rate of 10%, increased penetration level of 9-10% and placement as the 5th largest technical textiles market in the world. At this juncture, Ministry of Textiles’ National Technical Textiles Mission  is working towards enhancing the usage/demand of technical textiles, enhancing the awareness & know-how, facilitating product & machinery development, and conducting segment specific conferences, with the overall objective of creating adequate ecosystem of technical textiles in India.
He highlighted that India’s sportech market at around USD 1.17 million is minimal as compared to country’s population size. Therefore, focus should be on developing this sector to meet domestic needs with indigenously produced quality sports textile products & accessories. PM Mitra presents a great opportunity in this regard wherein technical textiles companies could set-up their plants in plug-n-play mode.
Smt. Shubhra, Trade Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted that the recent years have witnessed the birth of many Indian brands in sports sector, however, most of these brands are into athleisure market, thus, need of the hour is to expand the focus of these brands towards high performance specialized sports textile materials.
Smt. Roop Rashi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, highlighted that there is a need for creating synergy amongst various stakeholders in sportech sector, including Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, sports industry, among others.
Shri. Amit Agarwal, Chairman, ITTA, highlighted that coming years would create significant demand for the sportech products in India on the back of rising health consciousness, India’s hosting of 2036 Olympics Games and Government’s strong focus & vision towards enhancing entire ecosystem of technical textiles.